1900

Preparation of a Christmas letter has its dangers, particularly if any statistics are included. A greeting of that nature, sent out by the secretary recently, contained figures in regard to the total number of descendants of the class, and information as to who among us has done best in this respect, as follows: Ash 19, Wallace 17, Paddock 13. Whereupon Clarence Paddock rises in indignation and demands a recount. He advances new data in addition to that which we already knew—to wit, three new grandchildren: Beverly Ruth Alexander, born July 3, 1948; Bruce Erwin Alexander, Nov. 20, 1949; Jane Elizabeth Paddock, Dec. 2, 1948. Thus of his four children Erwin has given him two grandchildren, Helen three, Ruth two and Eleanor five. Clarence protests that in the type of mathematics he has so long taught at the Wentworth Institute that sums up to 16 rather than 13. The secretary, being of a trusting temperament, is hot inclined to question this sudden influx of new data, nor to demand legal certification as to its validity, such as is required in the case of referendum signatures in the state of Massachusetts. Clarence's amendment is therefore accepted without demur. That does not change his relative position, beyond narrowing the gap between him and Arthur Wallace—but stay, perhaps he has another argument there. One of Arthur's children is dead and so is one of his grandchildren, leaving 15 descendants alive: all Clarence's descendants, so far as the secretary knows, are alive—l 6. Which of the contenders is entitled to second place? That question the secretary refuses to decide, but refers the question to a committee of the legal members of the class made up of HarrySampson and Ben Prescott, neither of whom has any children, for final and definite adjudication.

Clarence says further that he is continuing his teaching at Wentworth. Institute and his attention to the tutoring of private pupils in mathematics, without thought of retirement. His ancient frame creaks somewhat but his upper story (fortunate man) is still in good working condition, so he says. He manages to have a good rest in Maine each summer.

Joe Manion, after living in the same house in Arlington for ten years, has had it sold over his head, and has moved to 8 Forest Street, Cambridge, near Harvard Square.

Various people are on their travels. LemHodgkins is at Clearwater, John Warden at St. Petersburg and Henry Teague at Miami Beach, all in Florida, and Charles Proctor starts today (Jan. 3.) for Clearwater. Marion Atwood, widow of our regretted Chelsea, is to be in California for the winter. Mrs. Jeanette Cate is to visit her son and family in Atlanta, Ga., in January and later go to Florida.

Nat Thayer suffered last spring from an attack of coronary thrombosis and pneumonia and has not been able to work in recent months.

Mrs. Paul Redinglon writes of the happenings in her family. Paul Jr. is a bank cashier in Washington. Edward is still in the navy at Vallejo, Calif, and Mary Ann (Church) is in Japan with her husband, an army officer, and her two boys. Mrs. Redington has given up her home agency work with the Western Union but is still living in Falls Church, Va.

William Stuart Roberts Rogers, grandson of Arthur Roberts, was married in Newport, R. I. on August 20, to Miss Marcia Hersey, daughter of Commodore and Mrs. Mark Hersey. Robbie's second grandson is a fifth-form boy at St. George's School, where his grandfather taught for so many years.

Secretary, Hanover, N. H. Treasurer and Class Agent 212 Mill St., Newtonville, Mass.